This week we are catching up on the “home front” at Rose Rock. We’ve made our master list, and gathered several unfinished projects and miscellaneous materials. We have rolled up our sleeves and set to work. We want to settle all this unfinished business before the heat of summer rolls in and we would rather kick up our feet in the shade between weeding and watering sessions.
The children are, of course, encouraged to help. Even as most our projects are centered around the yard, they are provided with opportunities to help. We all enjoy working together, and giving children meaningful work nourishes their sense of life (well-being or vitality), which is essential for living harmoniously with others as adults.
Here is a list of suggested ways children can help in the yard in Spring/Summer:
- Weeding or gathering the picked weeds into a bin
- Gathering fallen sticks and rocks previous to mowing
- Gathering branches as you trim
- Digging for garden beds, walkways, etc.
- Heaving rocks and bags of materials
- Pulling wagons or pushing wheelbarrows
- Organizing garden shed and garage
- Helping to build shelving for shed or garage
- Helping to build compost bins
- Taking out and covering compost
- Shoveling compost
- Spreading mulch in garden beds
- Planting in garden beds or pots
- Helping to build trellis or stake plants
- Watering the garden
- Cutting flowers and greenery for vases indoors
We wrote an article a couple of years ago, Domestic Work and Play with Children that speaks of the value of work for children’s development in a bit more detail.
Even though we are not crafting this week, we invite you to participate in a LifeWays online course that offers an abundance of activities, crafts, and songs all centered around the season. Living Arts through the Seasons Spring edition, is self-paced, available at any time after registration, and very affordable. Plus, families of a LifeWays representative site receive a discount! We hope you enjoy it!